New Identity Verification Laws for Property Buyers and Sellers: What You Need to Know
Buying or selling property is changing across Australia.
From 1 July 2026, new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws require real estate agencies to verify the identity of their clients as part of every property transaction.
While this may be a new step in the real estate process, it's something many Australians are already familiar with through banks, lenders and financial institutions. The aim is simple: to help protect the Australian property market from criminal activity while making property transactions safer and more transparent for everyone.
Why are these changes being introduced?
The Australian Government has expanded AML/CTF legislation to include real estate professionals.
This means agencies like MIX Property Group now have a legal obligation to verify the identity of buyers and sellers before providing certain real estate services.
These new requirements help prevent:
- Money laundering
- Fraud and identity theft
- Terrorism financing
- Other serious financial crimes
For most clients, the process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes once the required documents are provided.
What information will you need to provide?
If you're buying or selling a property, we may ask you to provide:
- A valid photo ID (such as a driver's licence or passport)
- Basic personal information
- Proof of your residential address
If you're buying or selling through a company, trust or other entity, we may also need additional information regarding ownership or the people who control the entity.
The exact documents required will depend on your individual circumstances.
When will identity verification take place?
Unlike in the past, identity verification may now occur much earlier in the buying or selling process.
Rather than waiting until contracts are prepared, we may ask you to complete these checks when you first engage us.
Providing your documents early helps avoid delays later and allows your transaction to progress smoothly.
Your privacy remains protected
We understand that providing personal identification can feel sensitive.
At MIX Property Group, protecting your personal information is a priority.
We only collect information that is required under Australian law, and your details are stored securely in accordance with:
- Australian privacy legislation
- AML/CTF compliance requirements
- Strict data security standards
Your information is used solely for identity verification and legal compliance purposes.
What happens if identity can't be verified?
Unfortunately, if we are unable to complete the required verification checks, we may not be legally permitted to continue providing certain real estate services.
This isn't a policy unique to our agency—it is a legal requirement that applies to real estate businesses across Australia.
You may also be asked to complete similar identification checks by your bank, mortgage broker or conveyancer as part of your property transaction.
We're here to make it easy
While this is a new requirement for the real estate industry, our goal is to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
Our team will explain exactly what is required, assist you if you have any questions, and ensure your information is handled securely throughout the process.
By providing your identification early, you'll help keep your property transaction moving efficiently from start to finish.
If you're planning to buy or sell property and would like to understand how these new requirements apply to you, we'd be happy to help.
Contact the team at MIX Property Group to discuss your next property move with confidence.